<figure><img src="https://i.insider.com/6aaadb866794a2984cfc982c?format=jpeg" height="1536" width="2048" alt="Robbie Cartwright headshot"><figcaption>Robbie Cartwright resells sneakers online.<p class="copyright">Courtesy of Robbie Cartwright</p></figcaption></figure><ul class="summary-list"><li>Robbie Cartwright started selling items when he was about 11.</li><li>He now makes hundreds of thousands reselling sneakers online.</li><li>He was late for his own 21st birthday because he was working, and he rarely sees friends.</li></ul><p><em>This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Robbie Cartwright, founder of</em> <a target="_blank" href="https://tilt.app/shop-sellers/profile/yorkshiretrainer"><em>Yorkshire Trainers</em></a><em>. It has been edited for length and clarity</em>.</p><p>I've been selling things since I was a child: candy bars, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/do-fidget-spinners-help-with-adhd-focus-children-clinical-psychologist-psychology-toys-2017-5">fidget spinners</a> — you name it. </p><p>My <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-parenting-middle-schoolers-taught-me-2025-12">middle school</a> had a challenge to see which student could take a small investment of about $10 and make the most profit. I won, selling hooks to hang handbags on. I profited more than $1,000 over the six weeks of the challenge, although it was all for charity.</p><p>By the time I was about 14, I was <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/heres-how-i-built-my-sneaker-resale-side-hustle-2022-3">reselling sneakers</a>. Some kids have hobbies or play sports, but I would troll eBay, looking for deals that I could make a profit on. I reinvested what I made, and soon started camping out in line for exclusive sneaker drops. I might spend $200 on a pair of sneakers from the factory, then resell them for $1,000 later that night.</p><p>That was my whole weekend: sourcing items to sell. Sometimes I could convince my friends to come camp outside stores with me. My parents weren't too keen on the idea of me sleeping outside overnight, but they let me do it. I believe it made me a tougher person.</p><h2 id="1c7e4c4b-2a97-4cb4-967e-65886bbe4775" data-toc-id="1c7e4c4b-2a97-4cb4-967e-65886bbe4775">I'm making tons of money, but that's not what motivates me</h2><p>If I sold three pairs of sneakers, I'd use the profit to buy five more. I viewed selling as more of a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/hobbies-high-paying-side-job-2016-12">hobby than a job</a>. Still, it was taking up a lot of my time. I didn't study much and found any excuse I could to get out of school. By about 17, I was all in on the business.</p><p>That was four years ago, and the business has grown massively. Today, I do five figures of sales each month, and in May, I hit a record: more than $280,000 in one month.</p><p>Money isn't my main motivator. The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/hustle-culture-what-its-really-like-reselling-clothing-for-profit-2026-1">industry of reselling online</a> via live-streaming is still young, especially in the UK, where I'm based. I'm chasing that top spot in the industry because it's still up for grabs.</p><h2 id="fde9f579-88ce-4a48-99c9-3440183f1fca" data-toc-id="fde9f579-88ce-4a48-99c9-3440183f1fca">Friends have drifted because I'm so focused on work</h2><p>Being so dedicated to work impacts all areas of my personal life. I used to go to watch my <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nfl-team-owners">favorite football team</a> with my friends every week. Now, I haven't seen a game in probably three years.</p><p>Unsurprisingly, my friends have drifted away. I'm not still friends with anyone I went to school with. I did a vacation with a new group of friends and had a great time, but for the next two years, I didn't want to take time off work to join their trip.</p><p>I just turned 21, and my parents hosted a party beginning at 5 p.m. on a Sunday. I worked until 7, and was late to my own birthday. My parents wish I wouldn't work so much, but I'm all gas, no brake. I figure that I can be on a yacht at 40; I don't need to be there at 20. I want a family, eventually, but not for a long time.</p><h2 id="5f8809e6-0949-4ac5-a68b-d9070d69d100" data-toc-id="5f8809e6-0949-4ac5-a68b-d9070d69d100">I don't see myself slowing down</h2><p>Since I'm working all the time, I <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/no-spend-month-saving-money-experiment-2018-7">don't spend much money</a>. Despite selling high-end sneakers, I don't spend much on clothes for myself. I'm wearing a $30 pair of sneakers today, and they're worn out. I also still live at home with my parents. I'll do that until they kick me out.</p><p>Last year, I bought two <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/how-to-afford-living-high-cost-cities-rental-income-2025-11">rental properties</a>. I paid cash, so I don't have a mortgage. Other entrepreneurs have told me to invest when I'm young. Real estate is my way of doing that. I've invested a little in stocks, but mostly want to stick to what I know, and that's real estate. I'm a simple man.</p><p>Too many people my age are focused on instant gratification, but I'm the opposite: I want to build my wealth now. I get my thrill from watching the business grow, not from spending money.</p><p>Right now, I'm happy working full throttle. I'll do that until I hit a wall. I don't see any reason not to. I know I put a lot of pressure on myself, but I'm young — I have time to make mistakes.</p><div class="read-original">Read the original article on <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/gen-z-sneaker-reseller-business-lives-with-parents-2026-9">Business Insider</a></div>
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